I read the interview on XSI and came upon this magnificent CGI. Outstanding.

There is however a small detail that strays from true samurai tradition. She's wearing here katana upside down.A short google images search for "Iaido" will soon convince you the way the Katana (or Shinken) is worn is with the blade towards the sky. It is seen here http://www.tenshin.cz/iaido/iaido.2.gif

and here: http://users.tkk.fi/~mlahdenm/iaido/takada_ed-rs.jpg

The reason so many movies feature the Katana this way is from a misinterpretation of the speed and movement of the sword as it's drawn and swung in one motion. Foreigners thought it could only be possible with the sword blade side down. The key is in the way the sword is grasped traditionally, with the thumb facing outside with the other fingers facing the sky just before the roll on the handle.

I felt like I had to tell you as you CGI is just this detail away from being flawless, but as it is, cause a slight distraction for the trained Iaido practitionner and traditionnal Katana weilders.

Check The Last Samurai for a great example of the right way to hold and wear a traditionnal Katana.

I saw this and realized you drew the Concubine Warriors from Sun Tzu.Cheers

THE LESSON OF THE CONCUBINESSUN TZU Art of WarGeral Michaelson

The following story is considered to be of dubious authenticity andnot part of the 13 chapters. Some translators include it withintheir books; others ignore its existence. All narratives are quitesimilar. You may find interesting lessons in the following version.

Sun Tzu's book, "The Art of War," earned him an audience with theKing of Wu, who said, "I have thoroughly read your 13 chapters. MayI submit your theory of managing soldiers to a small test?"

Sun Tzu replied, "Sir, you may."

The King of Wu asked, "Can the test be applied to women?"

Sun Tzu replied that it could, so arrangements were made to bring180 beautiful women from the palace. Sun Tzu divided them into twocompanies with one of the King's favorite concubines at the head ofeach. He then made all of them take spears in their hands and spoketo them: "I presume you know the difference between front and back,right hand, and left hand?"

The women replied, "Yes."

Sun Tzu continued, "When to the sound of drums I order 'eyes front,'look straight ahead. When I order 'left turn,' face toward your lefthand. When I order 'right turn,' face toward your right hand. When Iorder 'about turn,' face around to the back."

After the words of command had been explained, the women agreed theyunderstood. He gave them spears so he could begin the drill. To thesound of drums, Sun Tzu ordered 'right turn.' In response, the womenburst out in laughter.

With great patience, Sun Tzu said, "If the instructions and words ofcommand are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughlyunderstood, then the general is to blame." He then repeated theexplanations several times. This time he ordered the drums to signal'left turn,' and again the women burst into laughter.

Then Sun Tzu said, "If the instructions and words of command are notclear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, thegeneral is to blame. But if commands are clear and the soldiersdisobey, then it is the fault of the officers." He immediatelyordered the women who were at the head of the two companies to bebeheaded.

Of course, the King was watching from a raised pavilion, and when hesaw that his two favorite concubines were about to be executed, hewas alarmed and swiftly sent down a message: "We are now quitesatisfied as to the general's ability to manage troops. Withoutthese concubines, my food and drink will not taste good. It is theKing's wish that they not be beheaded."

Sun Tzu replied, "Having received the sovereign's commission to takecharge and direct these troops, there are certain orders I cannotaccept." He immediately had the two concubines beheaded as anexample and appointed the two next in line as the new leaders.

Now the drums were sounded again and the drill began. The womenperformed all the maneuvers exactly as commanded, turning to theright or left, marching ahead, turning around, kneeling, or rising.They drilled perfectly in precision and did not utter a singlesound.

Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King of Wu saying, "Your Majesty,the soldiers are now correctly drilled and perfectly disciplined.They are ready for your inspection. Put them to any use you desire.As sovereign, you may choose to require them to go through fire andwater and they will not disobey."

The King responded, "Our commander should cease the drill and returnto his camp. We do not wish to come down and inspect the troops."

With great calm, Sun Tzu said, "This king is only fond of words andcannot carry them into deeds."

Commentary following the story indicates that the King relented,recognized Sun Tzu's ability, and appointed him a general; and SunTzu won many battles. In contrast, some historians believe Sun Tzusimply served as a civilian strategist, and others deny hisexistence, claiming he was actually someone else.

(The proper placement of a weapon to the body was/is not a tradition, but a necessity.)

IF this render is meant to be a depiction of a concubine from the legend of Sun Tzu’s concubine ‘army’…

Then the quote above is a massive understatement, to say the least.

A beautiful picture is just that, a beautiful picture. Unfortunately, this render has done the legend of the Sun Tzu concubines a sordid injustice. Imagination is fine, but to have disgraced this legend with such un-authentic nonsense is just too atrocious. Without going into many details, suffice it to say, and just pointing out one instance, none of the concubines were outfitted with ‘live’ blades.

On the subject of the sword in this render, the curvature, as depicted, from the front of the subject, to the rear of the subject, is off by inches.

For a legend as great as this, and for the work done, no imagination and some decent research would have resulted in a truly great and (rightfully) admired render.

It may not mean much at this point. However, ‘I’ do honestly appreciate the effort and admire the talent involved. Thank you, Rebeca Puebla, for an otherwise pleasant render for my senses.